Dubai was by far the biggest destination for international visitors (Photo: Expo 2020)
According to the Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises and Chairman of the UAE Tourism Council, Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, tourism sector in the United Arab Emirates has achieved a new growth milestone in Quarter 1, which indicates its competitiveness at both regional and international levels. Al Falasi said that the achievement was due to the unlimited support and directives of the UAE’s leadership and interest towards tourism, which is considered as one of the future sectors and a key focus area in the UAE’s development vision for the next 50 years.
Al Falasi also said that during the first quarter of this year, the national tourism sector exceeded the growth rates recorded in the last three years during the same period. The year 2022 is now considered as one of the best years in terms of economic growth in general, particularly the tourism sector which has confirmed strong comeback.
The country’s hotel establishments had attracted nearly 6 million visitors who spent 25 million hotel nights, that attributed to 10 pc growth compared to the same period in 2019. The average duration of hotel guest stays also grew by 33 pc in Q1, up from 3 nights to 4 nights and the occupancy rate of hotel establishments in the country during this period achieved 80 pc growth, which is one of the highest globally. Hotel establishments generated a total revenue of AED 11 billion (USD 4 billion) with a 20 pc growth compared to the same period in 2019 and resumed operations at full capacity of approximately 200,000 hotel rooms.
Aside from the hotel industry, the UAE also saw the revival and strong comeback of inbound tourists, as hotel establishments in various emirates hosted international guests of nearly 4 million in total. Amongst the top in the lists of these international arrivals were India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States of America.
Al Falasi explained that these indicators underscore the strength of the tourism product and the pioneering services and attractive tourism destinations that the UAE offers, as well as its sophisticated tourism infrastructure. They also reflect the growing confidence of visitors in the national tourism sector and the UAE’s reputation as a safe and favourable destination capable of providing a rich and distinguished tourism experience.
He added that the major events hosted by the UAE over the past months had also played a vital role in supporting the sector. For example, Expo 2020 Dubai had attracted more than 24 million visitors over six months, and ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign in its second edition, had generated a total revenue of AED 1.5 billion.
Of the seven emirates that make up the UAE, Dubai was by far the biggest destination for international visitors. The emirate accounted for almost half the total number of visitors to the UAE in the quarter. It received 3.97 million international overnight visitors in Q1 amongst which 3,76,000 were alone from India making the nation an important source market for the emirate.
